Fanatec CSL DD review


“Direct drive for a broader audience” – that’s how Fanatec describes its new CSL DD. Is Fanatec right? And is a direct drive wheel at the prices asked worth it?

The sim racing world appeared to be turned on its head earlier this year, when Fanatec released information about their new entry-level direct drive wheel. The internet went crazy, many proclaiming that all other manufacturers must now release direct drive wheels or they’ll be finished as a business.

Buy the Fanatec CSL DD (8Nm) from Fanatec.com for EUR 479,95
Buy the Fanatec CSL DD (5Nm) from Fanatec.com for EUR 349,95

Then, a few weeks later Thrustmaster announced the T-GT 2 – a wheel that would typically have been launched without too much of a buzz. But just a quick look through social media comments about the wheel revealed that pretty much all posters were slamming it because “It’s not direct drive” and “It’s too expensive”.

I haven’t driven the T-GT 2 yet, but at some point I hope do so. I have had the opportunity to drive the predecessor, though, which I liked a lot, and from what I’ve read and watched, this wheel is even better.

The CSL DD does put other manufacturers in a bit of a predicament, though.

Whether the CSL DD is any good is something we’ll get to – the fact that for as little as 350 euros you can now buy a direct drive wheel seemingly makes it difficult for the likes of Thrustmaster and Logitech.

Whatever wheels they bring out in the near future that are similarly priced to the CSL DD will be instantly compared to it, and for many, if the new wheels aren’t direct drive, they won’t be good enough.

This should be a good thing for you and me, the consumers. For quite a few years, the entry to mid-tier section of sim racing hardware has mainly been consistent. Yes, products are refined and new features come with the next iteration of a wheel, but in the main, they have looked, felt, and driven the same way.

This could of course be a flash in the pan, and anyone looking to buy a sub 500 euro wheel sometime in the future may not have direct drive in mind at all. But right now, in 2021, it seems that all wheels should de direct drive.

Overview​

The CSL DD is compatible with the Xbox and PC and comes with several options.

Parting with 350 euros will get you the hub in 5nm form and that’s just about it – you will still need to purchase pedals and a steering wheel.

The great news is that the CSL DD is compatible with all Fanatec wheels – so if you’re on a budget, you can use a secondhand wheel or borrow one from a friend.

For 480 euros, you get exactly the same hub but with the booster kit – which is essentially a larger power brick, providing the hub with more power and unleashing the wheel to its full potential of 8nm.

It’s important to note that the table clamp is an additional accessory and costs 30 euros.

If you decide to part with 350 euros and purchase the booster kit later, you can, but it will cost you more – the booster kit costs £150, making the combined purchase 30 euros more.

If you already have Fanatec pedals, a shifter, and/or a handbrake – great. The CCSL DD allows you to plug them directly into the back of the hub.

If you purchase the table clamp, it will fit tables between 5mm and 60mm thick, and there are some T-nuts supplied in the box that allow for easy mounting to pretty much any rig.

It’s not the prettiest hub I’ve ever seen, but you get used to it, and in some ways, it does share some characteristics with the Fanatec dd1 and dd2. However, the way it looks is deliberate – the hub is fanless, using aluminium fins to passively cool itself. At this point, I should say that during my testing of the CSL DD, it never felt hot or even warm to touch.

5nm Review​

I’ve decided to review the 5nm and 8nm variations separately because there is a difference, and I want my thoughts and feelings on both options to be clear.

The first thing you will notice is the smoothness of this wheel. If you’ve never driven a direct drive wheel and are used to gears and pulleys, you will be blown away by how this wheel feels even without it running in a sim. There’s no grating from cogs or friction from pulleys, just direct drive smoothness.

At the time of this review, I have tested the CSL DD with Assetto Corsa and Assetto Corsa Competizione. I will test in other sims, but this review will be based on my experience from these two specifically.

I’ve also tried to place myself into the minds of different consumers, who may have different expectations of the wheel. I’ve thought about the wheel from the perspective of someone coming from an entry level one, and I’ve also considered someone who’s had experience with a direct drive wheel.

So let’s get the latter out of the way first – if you’ve had experience with other direct drive wheels, you are going to be let down by the CSL DD in its 5nm form. You’re used to 18nm or higher, and with 5nm, there’s simply no comparison.

However, if you are moving over to the CSL DD from an entry-level wheel, you’re likely going to experience a wave of different emotions about this new Fanatec hub.

I’ve already mentioned how smooth it is, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how punchy a direct drive wheel can feel. The way the hub communicates with you is totally different to any entry-level wheel. You will feel the bumps, kerbs, track deviations, and the tyres loading up far more than you’re used to.

I would also say the CSL DD in its 5nm form is great for desks and entry-level rigs. You get many of the characteristics of a direct drive wheel but without the huge torque from other wheels that would simply rip apart entry-level rigs and turn any desk into firewood.

However, I’m sure there will be a time while experiencing these emotions that you wished you had gone with the 8nm option.

At 5nm there’s an apparent lack of detail at a granular level. Whilst you get the feeling that I mentioned earlier, it feels distant from the cars I was driving, and in some ways it feels numb. I kept going back to ffb settings and Fanalab, trying to extract more and more out of the hub to no avail.

There’s the cost to consider, too.

If you start to add up the cost – hub, wheel, and pedals – and opt for purely Fanatec gear, you will be parting with £630.

For just 350 euros you can purchase the Logitech G923, which admittedly has approximately half the amount of torque of the CSL DD but comes with TrueForce, which interprets in-game sounds and physics information and converts that to additional force feedback.

And for 700 euros Thrustmaster offer the T-GT 2, which produces a similar amount of torque but comes with its own technology that delivers an extra layer of driving feel.

The point that I am trying to make here is that just because the CSL DD is a direct drive wheel, it does not automatically entail a better driving experience.

8nm Review​

It might be just 3mn more, but this is the equivalent of slapping on more power than any entry-level wheel to the 5nm or torque the CSL DD produces in its cheaper form.

At 8nm, you can expect all the benefits that I described in the 5nm review and far fewer drawbacks.

There is so much more feel. As a driver you feel the bumps more and the texture of the road, and at high torque moments, you will be fighting with the wheel. All these benefits enhance the emersion you will experience with the additional booster kit. Catching slides will be even easier than before, and finding the limits of your tyres will come more naturally.

Whilst 8nm won’t snap your arm like more powerful hubs, I’d recommend letting go if you get into a spin or you will have bruised thumbs!

I’m not trying to tell you that this wheel can compete with the dd1, dd2 or other even more expensive direct drive wheels, because it can’t. At 8nm this hub has a third, sometimes even less, of the power of other direct drive wheels.

There are other things to consider though: with higher torque wheels, you will need a high-quality rig. For this review and my daily driver, I use the Thrustmaster Challenger rig, and at 8nm, it feels like it’s at its absolute limit.

Though the table clamp is an option for the CSL DD, you will need to turn the force feedback right down to be able to use it with 8nm.

I am extremely impressed with 8nm of torque. I’ve found it very easy to get back on pace with this hub, and I could see this variation of the CSL DD being one I would purchase myself.

Bits I Don’t Like​

Nothing’s ever perfect, and there are a few things about the CSL DD that I don’t like.

I’m not a fan of the massive power button at the front of the hub. Not only is this a power button, but also it allows you to cycle between PC and Xbox modes – twice I’ve hit this button as I’ve been driving, which completely ruins the race. Having this button at the front makes no sense to me. Yes, it might be easier to switch between modes as you don’t have to reach around the back, but is it that much of an inconvenience to reach around and how many times are sim racers going to be switching between the two different modes?

I’m also not a fan of the plastic end caps – I understand the wheel has to be made with a budget in mind, but picking at it with my finger, the end caps remind me of instant ready-meal trays.

Buy the Fanatec CSL DD (8Nm) from Fanatec.com for EUR 479,95
Buy the Fanatec CSL DD (5Nm) from Fanatec.com for EUR 349,95

Final Thoughts​

Whether this wheel is for you or not is a decision you alone must make. For 5mn, there’s a good argument that other wheels may provide a better driving experience. However, for 8nm, I believe this is the best option in this price range.

I will say this though: Fanatec have put the cat amongst the pigeons with a direct drive wheel for under £500, which hopefully means everyone else steps up their game in the coming months and years, making sim racing even better for us all.

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About author
Damian Reed
PC geek, gamer, content creator, and passionate sim racer.
I live life a 1/4 mile at a time, it takes me ages to get anywhere!

Comments

I like the idea of this wheel and, in general, think the more competition we have in the hardware space, the better.

That said, I'm afraid it's a bit of a 'tweener. A bit better than a belt drive, but nowhere near the power of a full price DD.

Personally, as someone running a T300 base, I am inclined to continue holding out for one of the $1000+ type DD models. I'm afraid this budget DD wheel would be a bit too much of an incremental improvement for my budget.
 
After you spend $500 on the base and the upgraded power supply, then you have to buy a wheel for another (probably) $300. That's $800. For $1000 you can get the Accuforce V2 (with the best software made) and 13 NM of torque. Why not just spend the extra $200? It just makes more sense.
Looking for alternatives here in Australia is pretty pricey.
 

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2 years into the DD1 and we still just get update notes like this below... essentially saying "dont use that thing we advertised this wheel can do, because it does not work, we dont know how to fix it, too bad, so sad",

my next wheel will not be a fanatec, as I have no faith in the promises made by this company. Any suggestions for a good DD replacement when my shopping time comes up in NOV?


January '21 (and not a peep about it since.
  • Podium wheel base jolts can happen on ITM or analysis screens of the wheel base display. A workaround is to use the default screen with “Fanatec” logo while driving. Last year we could solve the jolts which happened also on the default screen, we will now work on the remaining jolts but I can't give a timeline or promise a date yet.
 
After you spend $500 on the base and the upgraded power supply, then you have to buy a wheel for another (probably) $300. That's $800. For $1000 you can get the Accuforce V2 (with the best software made) and 13 NM of torque. Why not just spend the extra $200? It just makes more sense.
Odds are give it a month and 30-40 bucks 180watt PSUs will come out.. The bare minimum for a Fanatec csl DD is ~600 Shipped. AccuForce is another 550-600 on top of that after taxes/shipping so it's not exactly a tiny big more.
 
They should have discarded the idea of the wheel with the bigger power supply, sold only the 8Nm version and save their invest in having 2 different factory lines, it's only going to be a matter of time before the chinese reverse engineer one of them and they start to flood the market with cheap 40€ knockoffs. I also can foresee some people diy repurposing old gaming laptops power supplys. They also should have included the table clamp, because quite a lot of the people that will purchase that wheel most probably don't own a frame. I think that all of that for 400€ would had been better, as they wouldn't had looked as total shills, and the price would had looked fair.

Anyways, this base is going to lit a fire under thrustmaster's ass and force logitech to lower their prices. And that's good news for all of us, it is going to push the technology forward in an era in where all the main manufacturers seemed stagnant for far too long.
 
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They should have discarded the idea of the wheel with the bigger power supply, sold only the 8Nm version and save their invest in having 2 different factory lines,
Isn't that what they did? They just manufacture one wheel base, thus 1 production line. The power supplies are almost certainly going to manufactured in China or Taiwan as is the case with 99% of PSUs today.
it's only going to be a matter of time before the chinese reverse engineer one of them and they start to flood the market with cheap 40€ knockoffs.
Too much of a niche, non-standard product for the Chinese to bother about. There may be some "4th shift" units entering the market, but that's likely to minimal.
I also can foresee some people diy repurposing old gaming laptops power supplys.
If done, then this will only be done by people with the requisite electronics knowledge, and honestly most people will likely go with the 8nm PSU to begin with.
They also should have included the table clamp, because quite a lot of the people that will purchase that wheel most probably don't own a frame. I t
Maybe, but then again I would be willing to bet that the vast majority of people who are going for a DD wheel from what is essentially a boutique manufacturer are already going to have some kind of rig anyway.
Anyways, this base is going to lit a fire under thrustmaster's ass and force logitech to lower their prices. And that's good news for all of us, it is going to push the technology forward in an era in where all the main manufacturers seemed stagnant for far too long.
Perhaps, but you need to remember that the market that TM and Logitech serves is different to the market that Fanatec serves. Admittedly there is some crossover, but essentially Fanatec is a boutique specialist manufacturer while TM and Logitech are general consumer brands, and as such there may not be enough of a business case for TM or Logitech to develop a DD wheel.
 
That said, I'm afraid it's a bit of a 'tweener. A bit better than a belt drive, but nowhere near the power of a full price DD.

Personally, as someone running a T300 base, I am inclined to continue holding out for one of the $1000+ type DD models. I'm afraid this budget DD wheel would be a bit too much of an incremental improvement for my budget.
Same here. I was initially thinking of getting this but once you add it all up I think I'll keep trawling ebay until the right used DD wheel comes up.
 
I'm really amazed that nobody is giving Fanatec a hard time for selling people what is essentially a power brick for 150$ which is deliberately made with it's own connector so you can't upgrade with third party hardware. It's really anticonsumer, but i guess no reviewer wants to lose their "free review copy" privileges and therefor refuse to criticise.
 
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2 years into the DD1 and we still just get update notes like this below... essentially saying "dont use that thing we advertised this wheel can do, because it does not work, we dont know how to fix it, too bad, so sad",

my next wheel will not be a fanatec, as I have no faith in the promises made by this company. Any suggestions for a good DD replacement when my shopping time comes up in NOV?


January '21 (and not a peep about it since.
  • Podium wheel base jolts can happen on ITM or analysis screens of the wheel base display. A workaround is to use the default screen with “Fanatec” logo while driving. Last year we could solve the jolts which happened also on the default screen, we will now work on the remaining jolts but I can't give a timeline or promise a date yet.
That was there in July 20 and no update since.

I had the issue when i first bought mine.

Bit of a joke really along with them selling a wheel for WRC but not actually creating a profile for it!
 
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i kinda feel it sketchy practise to have two different prices for same thing but to be able to choose 5 or 8 nm.
i think it would be more dignity for fanatic to sell it either just 8 nm for full 8 nm price, or sell it 8 nm as for 5 nm price....
Fanatec does it because they literally have no competition in this segment. They can charge as much as they want to, even for cheapo addons like a desk clamp as no one is going to offer a better price for it
 
They should have discarded the idea of the wheel with the bigger power supply, sold only the 8Nm version and save their invest in having 2 different factory lines, it's only going to be a matter of time before the chinese reverse engineer one of them and they start to flood the market with cheap 40€ knockoffs. I also can foresee some people diy repurposing old gaming laptops power supplys. They also should have included the table clamp, because quite a lot of the people that will purchase that wheel most probably don't own a frame. I think that all of that for 400€ would had been better, as they wouldn't had looked as total shills, and the price would had looked fair.

Anyways, this base is going to lit a fire under thrustmaster's ass and force logitech to lower their prices. And that's good news for all of us, it is going to push the technology forward in an era in where all the main manufacturers seemed stagnant for far too long.
They simply wanted to have a 350€ price tag for communication, and that's all most media talk about. That's probably why the clamp is not included. They may not gain much money on the 5nm version, and that's why they ask you 130€ more for a bigger PSU which probably costs 5€ to 10€ more to produce than the small one.

Then they'll encourage people to get the 8nm version because it's were they'll make money. And the frustration of having a 8nm capable base and having access to only 5 will help that, with some customers buying later the 8nm PSU because of that + reading everywhere how better the 8nm is.

I wouldn't be very happy if Fanatec was asking me 150-200€ more to get the high torque key of my DD1...

On another hand, 480€ for a DD is still very attractive.

And don't forget that torque is not everything, IMO the biggest difference between belt driven and direct drive bases is the low latency of DD. It's subtle at first, but you'll notice you're more in control of the car, you react faster to oversteer. I noticed that first on Lime Rock Park T1 braking, where I was keeping my car a lot more stable/straight, a lot more in control, with the DD.
 
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Watching review from RON, he testing what actual the boost kit was actually holding. Reading was 8.8 while non boost is 4.7nm. Pulls more than expecting. Reckon they did this to convince more viewers to buy it.
 
I'm really amazed that nobody is giving Fanatec a hard time for selling people what is essentially a power brick for 150$ which is deliberately made with it's own connector so you can't upgrade with third party hardware. It's really anticonsumer, but i guess no reviewer wants to lose their "free review copy" privileges and therefor refuse to criticise.
It's only anticonsumer if you look from the standpoint that it costs 130euro and forget all about the rest.
The power brick is not expensive per se, it's the csl dd 5nm that is cheap. They have to make money from somewhere, and in the case of the power brick, it's that purchase that subsidises the low entry cost.

The typical resolution for your criticism would be normally remove the 5Nm offer altogether. In reality, if they released the 8Nm at that price nobody would be none the wiser.
 
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D
Isn't that what they did? They just manufacture one wheel base, thus 1 production line. The power supplies are almost certainly going to manufactured in China or Taiwan as is the case with 99% of PSUs today.
he meant they should just sell 8 nm wheels only, for price of 5 nm or 8 nm package fanatic let decide.
but it would look better IN MY EYES even if they just sell 8 nm for 8 nm price, its still better option for any thrustamster or logitec wheel. and who even bought 5 nm option? 3 nm more can make big difference for such small difference in price, who would buy 5 nm then? some multimillionaire guy for them kids to not hurt themselfes with such BIG AMMOUNT OF FORCE of 8 nm?
i mean they already sell them csw or something thing with 7 nm beld driven wheel. i tell you nm more important than technology. it only difference between DD or belt drive is that DD is smoother and feel more slight differences , but it that you not need, force is more important if i shall choose between 5 nm DD or 7 nm belt drive i would choose 7 nm belt drive as i dont care about feeling those slight niuance through my little soft fingers when i drive LOL
 
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After you spend $500 on the base and the upgraded power supply, then you have to buy a wheel for another (probably) $300. That's $800. For $1000 you can get the Accuforce V2 (with the best software made) and 13 NM of torque. Why not just spend the extra $200? It just makes more sense.
maybe because with a big DD like the accuforce, you need a beefy rig and much place in your room compare to a simple desk which can be use for many things : play, work etc
in my case, this is it and i like more the wheels of fanatec than my previous thrustmaster wheel.
 
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D
I'm really amazed that nobody is giving Fanatec a hard time for selling people what is essentially a power brick for 150$ which is deliberately made with it's own connector so you can't upgrade with third party hardware. It's really anticonsumer, but i guess no reviewer wants to lose their "free review copy" privileges and therefor refuse to criticise.
i think i started the hate. i was too amazed that nobody told it before. LOL its sketchy smelly practise. like imagine thrustmaster selling them 5 nm wheel bases for price of even 50 dollar less but then you have 3 nm there be hate so much. but fanatic have so much fans.
dont look at me as fanatic hater cause i have them shifter and v3 inverted pedals cause its best quality for price i can tell, and i know DD1 and DD2 are good, so i think CSL DD is GOOD for sure but i must tell i dont like they sell basically SAME STUFF, SAME WHEEL BASE for two different price and different torques and that depend only on power supply thing LOL which i i think most easy thing to make when developing such sophisticated hardware, that mark my words soon market will be flooded with chinese power supplies for those who bought 5 nm version, and they soon unlock full 8 nm for em..
the worst thing fanatic can do then: a i hope it wont come to reality: would be to make software that detects PSU is not original from fanatic and thus blocking 8 nm force or destroying thing completely so user cannot even have waranty repair xDD
AND TO EVEN TELL MORE that 150 dollar brick is basically just same thing but with some more or thicker cables LOL
 
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D
i think they may put some telemetry saving thing to them hardware if user buy 5 nm option then buy chinese PSU the software will detect and save to some kind of hidden black box thing whole telemetry of him driving and using 8 nm forces, then it will break , user send stuff for warranty and they tell they know he used chinese PSU and wanted to whack them on 150 dollars LOL i tell you they shall just sell 8 nm for 8 nm price not make some sketchy weird practise
 
D
Fanatec does it because they literally have no competition in this segment. They can charge as much as they want to, even for cheapo addons like a desk clamp as no one is going to offer a better price for it
yes and i see this cause im from country that makes people see that kind of stuff daily xD
but did that justify them? no! I WOULD TELL it makes me loose RESPECT for them, thats all....
 

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